Congress, BJP fight over Aseemanand confession

The reported confession by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Swami Aseemanand about his involvement in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast triggered a war of words between Congress and BJP on Friday, with the former demanding strict action against 'sanghi terrorism'.

In a strong attack, the Congress asked the Centre to take all steps to rein in organisations like the RSS. The BJP hit back saying selective leaks by investigating agencies were a government ploy to divert public attention from corruption.

“Credible media reports about the confessions of Aseemanand have brought out the new terror face of RSS. This is Sanghi terrorism which poses a big threat to the country,” Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said. Questioned whether Congress would seek a ban on RSS, he said: “Ban it or disband it but take firm action...”

Senior party leader Digvijay Singh, known for his strong anti-RSS views, said the BJP and RSS must ask themselves whether they should support those instigating communal hatred which has led to right wing extremist terror activities by Sangh activists.

BJP termed the confession a bid to divert attention from scams rocking the government. BJP general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad said “selective leaks” by CBI and other agencies seeking to implicate certain leaders of the RSS are “highly condemnable”.”Let there be a fair investigation and we would welcome action against anyone if found guilty,” he said.

RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said the “deliberate leaking of the confession confirms further the alleged interest of agencies is not to probe cases but malign the reputation of the organisations and individuals.”

RSS leader Indresh Kumar, chargesheeted in the Ajmer blasts case, accused investigating agencies of dishing out a new story after they, along with the government, said Pakistan was behind the Samjhauta blast.